£45k fund to support paper cup recycling initiatives

New ‘Beyond the Bin’ Fund to Boost Paper Cup Recycling Innovation

A new funding opportunity is launching this September to support creative solutions for improving paper cup recycling across the UK

The Beyond the Bin Fund, backed by the National Cup Recycling Scheme (NCRS), will invite proposals from businesses, universities, community groups, and other organisations. The aim is to tackle key challenges in capturing and recycling single-use cups, with a winning project to be announced in December.

Since its inception in 2018, the NCRS—supported by major brands including Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Pret a Manger, Caffè Nero, Lavazza Professional, Greggs, and Burger King—has helped recycle over 233 million cups into new products.

With 3.2 billion single-use cups used annually in the UK (according to WRAP), the need for scalable recycling solutions is more urgent than ever.

Focus Areas for Proposals

Applicants can submit ideas in one of three key areas:

• Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives to drive behaviour change and increase cup recycling in workplaces, public spaces, and events.
• Recycling Infrastructure: Innovative approaches to collection and sorting in high-footfall areas like transport hubs, shopping centres, and hospitality venues.
• Research Projects: Studies exploring cup recyclability, recovery methods, or integration into household waste systems.

Shortlisted applicants will receive funding and expert guidance, including networking support and help refining their proposals before presenting to a judging panel of scheme partners.

Hannah Osman, Scheme Manager, commented:

“This new fund is a major investment to encourage innovation in cup recycling infrastructure and reuse. We’re hoping to trigger scalable ideas that will make a real difference in the future.”

Local Authorities Encouraged to Get Involved

Valpak, which released a report on cup takeback schemes in late 2024, emphasised the vital role of local councils in the success of the initiative. Their experience in managing waste and engaging communities makes them ideal partners for awareness and implementation.

Local authorities are encouraged to share details of the fund within their networks and consider joining applications or forming partnerships.

More information will be available when the fund officially opens in September.